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If you’re road tripping through Northern New Mexico, make sure and stop in Las Vegas, especially if you are a Harvey House aficionado. Head on over to the historic railroad depot first, which offers accessible parking and barrier-free access. Constructed in 1899, it’s still a working depot, and it also houses a small visitor information center. Next door the beautifully restored Castaneda Hotel is also worth a visit. There’s ramp access up to this former Harvey House, and level access around the lobby, which is dominated by a massive staircase. There’s elevator access to the second floor, which features 22 renovated rooms. There’s also level access to the downstairs bar, with barrier-free access to outside seating. Stop in and have a drink or some appetizers, and enjoy the view from the porch. And if you’d like to spend the night, room 204, which is wheelchair-accessible, is equipped with a roll-in shower.
Opened in 1898, the historic Castaneda Hotel (castanedahotel.org) was the flagship property of the newly christened Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. After a successful opening of this Las Vegas, New Mexico Harvey House, the railroad proceeded to build more trackside hotels across the Southwest. These properties were run by hospitality entrepreneur Fred Harvey, who successfully operated trackside restaurants along the line. Harvey subsequently recruited Midwestern women to move out west and become Harvey Girls to staff his restaurants. And just like that, the rail travel era in the west was born.
And although the Harvey Houses prospered for decades, the Great Depression and the the rise of the popularity of automobiles ultimately took its toll on the trackside hotel business model. The Castaneda Hotel was closed by the railway in 1948, and sat largely unused for the next 70 years. That’s when a modern-day Fred Harvey — Allan Affeldt who also restored Winslow’s La Posada to its former glory — came on the scene. Affeldt and his artist wife, Tina Mion, purchased the Castaneda Hotel, along with the historic Plaza Hotel, and ignited the rebirth of Las Vegas.
After an ambitious renovation, the Castaneda Hotel reopened in 2019. And although the restored property has the ambiance of yesteryear, modern-day access features were also added, so today wheelchair-users and slow walkers can overnight in a well appointed wheelchair-accessible room in this grand old gem.
A Grand Transformation
Designed by architect Frederick Louis Roehrig, the Castaneda Hotel was built in the Mission Revival style, with an original price tag of $105,000 — an impressive sum for the time. It had 37 guestrooms, plus an 108-seat dining room and a 51-seat lunch counter. The railroad also had their offices on the first floor.
The guestrooms were most often described as cozy — today we would call them downright tiny — and they were spartanly furnished with a bed, a radiator, a dresser and a sink. There were only six bathrooms at the hotel, which were shared by overnight guests — a common practice of the time.
Today the property boasts 22 spacious suites, all equipped with equally spacious bathrooms. And if you look carefully in the rooms, you can see the vague outlines of the former room borders on the floors. The hallway doors to the original rooms were also left intact — some now go to storage rooms, while others are merely decorative.
Furnishing the historic property was a project in itself, as Affeldt networked with antique dealers across the country to find Victorian-era furnishings. And luckily he also found some era-appropriate furnishings in the Southwest, to give the property a real local feel.
Tina Mion played an equally instrumental role in the design of the property, as many of her provocative paintings hang in the guestrooms and public spaces of the Castaneda Hotel. She also crafted a series of stained glass windows for the guestroom transoms, which each depict a different endangered Southwestern animal. Her collective work serves to unify the theme of endangered treasures — both buildings and animals — that can be saved.
Wheelchair Access And More
Entrance to the Castaneda Hotel In Las Vegas, New Mexico
Although the Castaneda Hotel was not originally designed to be wheelchair-accessible, the renovation allowed Affeldt to add access upgrades to the property. And he did an excellent job of providing modern day access features, while still retaining the historic Harvey House charm of the property.
There’s accessible parking located in the front and on the side of the property, with barrier-free access to a ramp that leads up to the front porch. From there, a wide door leads into the large lobby, which has wood floors and plenty of room to maneuver a wheelchair or scooter over to the registration desk. A grand staircase dominates the stately lobby, but there’s also elevator access to the second floor, where the accessible guest room is located.
There’s good wheelchair access to the public spaces of the property as well, including the second floor sitting area which features Mion’s art work. Downstairs there’s barrier-free access to the lobby, the bar and the dining room. Enjoy a drink or have a meal, and take in the view of the nearby restored depot. Then, take a walk around to the trackside of the property — just follow the accessible path — to see the facade that greeted folks as they disembarked from their long train journeys.
Wheelchair-Accessible Guest Room
Room 204 at the Castaneda Hotel
Located on the second floor, room 204 has a bevy of accessible features that were unknown in Fred Harvey’s days. Access features include wide doorways, lever handles, wood and tile floors, and excellent pathway access. The room is furnished with two 28-inch high open-frame queen-sized beds with wheelchair access on all sides.
Other furnishings include two night stands, a secretary, a table and two easy chairs — including one chair that is 14-inches high. There’s also a roll-under sink with a lowered mirror located on the far end of the room, but even with that addition there’s still plenty of room to maneuver even the largest wheelchair or scooter around the room.
The bathroom is equally accessible, and it boasts a full five-foot turning radius. It’s equipped with a custom-built roll-in shower with grab bars and a fold-down shower bench. The toilet grab bars are located on the back and right walls (as seated); and the right wall also has a vertical grab bar in addition to the standard horizontal one.
Bathroom in room 204 at the Castaneda Hotel
The room includes lots of homey touches, including two antique headboards, a pair of bedside lamps made from coffee earns, vintage windows that actually open, and one of Tina Mion’s transom pieces — and endangered squirrel. Add in some modern conveniences such as a TV and internet access and you have a very comfortable room — one that Harvey House guests of 1898 would surely envy.
All in all, the Castaneda Hotel features the charm of the yesteryear, and the comforts and access features of today. And that’s a winning combination in any book!
Tina Mion’s stained glass transom
Barrier-Free Travel the Grand Canyon for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
Road trips are a great way to travel. You can take things at your own pace, pack along all the gear you need, and you don’t have to worry about the airline losing your luggage. And there’s no better way to see some Western US national parks than on a road trip. This epic itinerary begins and ends in Las Vegas and visits nine national parks along the way. The whole route is 1880 miles long, but the longest drive is only 4.5 hours. You can do the whole itinerary, or just tackle a portion of this national park road trip. Either way, it’s a great spring, summer or fall travel choice
The Basics
Although this national park road trip begins in Las Vegas, you don’t have to be a local to give it a try. If you live close you can drive and spend a few days in town before hitting the road. Alternatively, you can grab a flight to Las Vegas and rent an accessible van to explore the national parks.
The good news is, accessible taxis are widely available in Las Vegas. At the airport just join the taxi queue, and the dispatcher will get an accessible cab for you. It’s a quick and easy process, and you don’t have to arrange for accessible transportation ahead of time. If you plan to spend a few days in the city prior to your road trip, most hotels will call for an accessible taxi for you. If you’re staying in a private rental or with friends or family, you can contact Yellow Checker Star Cab (www.ycstrans.com)
directly to order up an accessible cab.
Next, order an accessible van from one of these companies in advance, and you’re all set to hit the road.
For an easy first-day drive, just take Interstate 15 to Hurricane, and then follow Highway 9 to Zion National Park (emerginghorizons.com/zion-national-park/). The drive takes about 2.5 hours, and there’s some great scenery along the way. Hop on the wheelchair-accessible park shuttle at the Zion Visitor Center and explore the park, and then spend the night at a wheelchair-accessible cabin at Zion Lodge.
Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park
Shared use trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
From Zion, take Highway 9 to Mt. Carmel Junction and then hop on Highway 89 north to Highway 12 east. Save some time to stop along Highway 12 at the Red Canyon Visitor Center and take a stroll along the accessible Red Canyon Bicycle Trail. Continue on Highway 63, and follow the signs to Bryce Canyon National Park (emerginghorizons.com/bryce-canyon-national-park). If you drive it straight through, it will take about two hours. And there’s no shortage of accessible things to do in the park, including a roll or stroll along along the Bryce Multiuse Trail.
Bryce Canyon National Park to Capitol Reef National Park
Visitor Center in Capitol Reef National Park
To continue along on your national park road trip, backtrack on Highway 63 and make a right on Johns Valley Road, which becomes Highway 22. Next, make a right on Highway 62, and another right on Browns Lane, then head east on Highway 24 through Torrey to Capitol Reef National Park (emerginghorizons.com/capitol-reef-national-park). It’s a scenic two-hour drive. Pick up a map at the visitor center, then take a driving tour of the park. And don’t miss the petroglyphs along Highway 24.
Capitol Reef National Park to Canyonlands National Park
Vista in Canyonlands National Park
The next leg of your national park road trip is about a 4.5-hour drive. From Capitol Reef continue east on Highway 24, then take Interstate 70 east, and Highway 191 south to Highway 63. This will lead you to the Islands in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park (emerginghorizons.com/canyonlands-national-park). This large mesa “island” rises 1,000 feet above the adjacent land and is surrounded by the Colorado River and Green River. And if you don’t fancy camping out in the park, Field Station Moab (emerginghorizons.com/field-station-moab-a-breath-of-fresh-air) has some comfortable accessible rooms, and it’s just a 30-minute drive away.
Canyonlands National Park to Arches National Park
Devil’s Garden Trail in Arches National Park
For the next leg of your national park road trip, take Highway 313 back out to Highway 191 and continue south to Arches National Park (emerginghorizons.com/arches-national-park). It’s a short 35 minute drive. Stop at the visitor center, then take a driving tour of this beautiful park. Don’t miss the trail at Balanced Rock, Wall Street, the trail to the petroglyphs at Wolfe Ranch, and the Windows Section of the park. Although this park offers some spectacular scenery, advance planning is a must, as timed entry reservations are now required (emerginghorizons.com/national-park-entrance-reservations-required-in-2024). And remember, reservations are not available onsite — you need to purchase them online, ahead of your visit.
Arches National Park to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
The next segment of your national park road trip takes about 2.5 hours. From Arches National Park backtrack north on Highway 191 to Interstate 70 east, then take Highway 50 east to Highway 92 in Delta, to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm) entrance. There’s no shortage of scenic views on the seven-mile scenic drive along the south rim of the canyon. Even better — most of the viewpoints are wheelchair-accessible. And when it’s time to bed down for the night, there’s a comfy accessible yurt in Ridgeway State Park, which is about a half-hour away.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
To continue your national park road trip, take Highway 50 east to Interstate 550 to Ridgeway. From there take Highway 60 to Highway 145 south to Cortez. To complete this four-hour journey follow Highway 160 to Mesa Verde National Park (www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm). Highlights at Mesa Verde include the scenic Mesa Top Loop Drive, Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum, and the ruins at the Far View Sites. And if you’d like to spend the night in the park, Far View Lodge has some nice accessible rooms with roll-in showers.
Mesa Verde National Park to Petrified Forest National Park
The Crystal Forest in Petrified Forest National Park
From Mesa Verde, backtrack on Highway 160 to Cortez, then head south on Highway 491 to Interstate 40. Go west on the interstate and take exit 311 to reach Petrified Forest National Park (www.nps.gov/pefo/index.htm). The Painted Desert is located near the north entrance, and it features expansive views and a former Harvey House (The Painted Desert Inn). The Crystal Forest is worth a stop near the central part of the park, and don’t miss the Rainbow Forest near the South Entrance. And when you’re done, just exit the south entrance and head north to rejoin Interstate 40.
Petrified Forest National Park to Grand Canyon South Rim
Grand Canyon National Park
After you rejoin Interstate 40, head west and take exit 165 in Williams, then follow Highway 64 to Grand Canyon National Park (emerginghorizons.com/grand-canyon-national-park). It’s a scenic three-hour drive. There’s no shortage of accessible things to do on the South Rim, but for a scenic overview of the whole park, take a wheelchair-accessible flightseeing tour on Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines (www.scenic.com). The 45-minute flight departs from Tusayan, and features ramp access and plenty of room to transfer to a seat. And with the large windows on the plane, you won’t miss a thing. For another great view, check-in to Thunderbird Lodge — the only property in the park that offers wheelchair-accessible rooms with canyon views.
Grand Canyon South Rim to Grand Canyon North Rim
View from the North Rim Grand Canyon Lodge
The last stop on your national park road trip is just a four-hour drive away. From the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, follow the South Entrance Road to Desert View Drive and head east. In Cameron go north on Highway 89, and connect to Highway 89A in Jacob Lake, then just follow Highway 67 south to the Grand Canyon North Rim (www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/north-rim.htm). The great thing about the North Rim is that it doesn’t attract as many visitors as the South Rim. And after the day visitors are gone, it’s just you and the other lodge guests. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim has a variety of accessible cabins, many which are equipped with roll-in showers. So plan to spend a few days and enjoy the beauty of the North Rim.
Grand Canyon North Rim to Las Vegas
Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas
To complete your national park road trip, take Highway 67 back out to Highway 89A and head north. Next, travel west across the Kaibab Reservation on Highway 389, which turns into Highway 59 when you cross into Utah. Finally, take Highway 9 to Interstate 15 west and circle back to Las Vegas. It’s just a 4.5 hour drive, with lots of great scenery along the way.
Barrier-Free Travel Utah National Parks for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
I know you’ve visited a lot of places, and I wondering what you think the most accessible destination for wheelchair-users and slow walker is. And why.
I’ve been covering accessible travel for nearly 30 years, and I’ve certainly seen some great examples of accessibility; including many places which go above and beyond the letter of the law.
Las Vegas (www.lvcva.com) tops my most accessible destination for wheelchair-users and slow walkers list. They truly have made it accessible to everyone. You can easily hail an accessible taxi at the airport, the monorail is accessible, and many hotels have wheelchairs or scooters for loan. Many properties have more than the minimum number of accessible rooms, and some hotels even have ceiling track lifts, (which are not required under the law.)
San Diego Marina
I also love San Diego (www.sandiego.org). Not only does it have the perfect climate year round, but there are free loaner power beach wheelchairs at many beaches. This is important because standard beach wheelchairs are heavy and awkward to push, while the power beach wheelchairs offer wheelchair-users independent access to the beach.
Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park
And of course I love the US National Parks; in fact I’ve written many books about them. People with a disability can get a lifetime pass that’s good for free admission to all the national parks, and most of them have accessible trails, lodging and facilities. A National Park road trip is a good choice as you can easily pack along all your medical equipment, and take things at your own pace.
Cruise ship in Curacao
Of course cruises are also a popular choice for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. That said, before you pick a cruise, make sure that accessible shore excursions are available at your ports of call. Additionally, check to see if any of the ports are tender ports, as most tenders cannot accommodate wheelchair-users.
Houses of Parliament, London, England
Overseas, I like London, as all London Black Cabs are required to be wheelchair-accessible. Visit London Taxi Tours (www.visitlondontaxitours.com) even offers a wide variety of wheelchair-accessible tours. The tours are conducted in new London Black Cabs that are equipped with ramps, and each tour includes a knowledgeable local driver and guide.
Hope that helps. Accessibility is really improving worldwide, and wheelchair-users and slow walkers have many more choices today than they did 20 years ago. And I can imagine it will be even better 20 years from now.
Have an Ask the Expert Question?
Barrier-Free Travel National Park Lodges for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
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